A white paper from Electro Cam (Roscoe, IL) titled "Internal High-Speed Logic" explains in plain language what a programmable limit switch is and how it performs machine logic by using inputs from sensors and switches to trigger outputs such as solenoids.

A-B-C's (Tarpon Springs, FL) Pro Forma 550 continuous-motion case erector and bottom sealer has been enhanced to achieve speeds to 60 cases/min. A-B-C's machine control is a PLC with an encoder that uses closed-loop position feedback to ensure precise sychronization of all the components.

PIAB's (Rockland, MA) new CD-ROM presents the company's complete range of vacuum products, highlighting its conveyors. Said to be ideal for food handling, pharmaceutical and chemical applications, the stainless-steel conveyors transport up to 10 tons/hr safely and quietly.

Schneider Automation's (North Andover, MA) Transparent Factory control strategy, based on Internet technologies over Ethernet, permits production data from packaging machinery to be analyzed, formatted and delivered to databases, Web sites or e-mail.

L-GAGE(TM) laser gauging systems are used in applications including the measurement of dia or thickness. From Banner Eng. (Minneapolis, MN), the non-contacting sensors offer maximum resolution of 10 microns (0.01 mm).

Cookson Plastic Molding Corp. (Latham, NY) has introduced a plastic pallet for the dairy industry. This foamed HDPE pallet is competitive with wood pallets on a cost/ performance basis due to its longer useful life.